We, The Infected

Let Me In star Chloe Grace Moretz breaks down the darkness in the film for ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive interview. She also professes her love for My Chemical Romance and Christina Aguilera...

Chloe Moretz Talks "Let Me In" and Rocking to My Chemical Romance
Chloe Grace Moretz leads Let Me In with a real understanding of darkness.

In fact, Moretz knows the evil in her vampire Abby better than anyone should, and that's what makes her performance so poetic, passionate and primal. Moretz doesn't shy away from Abby's pain, but she's got a grip on her power as well, and she's not afraid to use it.

Overture's Let Me In is about that power at the end of the day. Abby is the 12-year-old vampire whom Owen [Kodi Smit-McPhee] finds a friend and protector in. The film's stark brutality is ethereally beautiful and uncompromisingly brutal, making it a unique reimagining of the brilliant 2008 Swedish movie, Let the Right One In. Let Me In is sharper in its own way and it cuts a lot deeper, primarily because of Moretz's skillfully satanic acting.

Chloe Grace Moretz sat down for an exclusive interview with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino about pulling the strings in Let Me In, how fun being evil is, listening to My Chemical Romance and Christina Aguilera and so much more.

Your performance highlights how manipulate Abby really is. How did you get into her mindset?

As you can imagine, it was pretty hard. I just really went over the character with my brother Trevor, who's my acting coach. We talked about it, and I discussed it with Matt Reeves and Kodi Smit-McPhee and went with it.

Abby's in control of everything. Was it easy to roll with that?

I'd say she definitely is the puppet master. She certainly knows how to hold Owen on a string above her head.

Was it fun to be that evil?

It was a lot of fun! I got freebie to do crazy stuff and also be able to walk away from it, you know? [Laughs]

There's a vulnerability to Abby that makes her even more evil. Were you trying to strike that balance to make her strangely sympathetic?

Yeah, I think she's naturally sympathetic because she's just a girl. She doesn't necessarily want to be a vampire at all; she wants to be a normal girl, but she knows she can't have that. That pains her and kills her.

It's more about her longing for normalcy than her longing for love.

Definitely! I'd say the same thing.

Was there anything that creeped you out on set?

No, filming it was super funny. I'm totally fine with all of it. It was pretty fun.

Do you ever listen to music to get into character? Where you listening to anything for Abby?

Yeah, for crying scenes I've always listened to music and gotten into that. It comes naturally. I was listening to a lot of Parachute and a little bit of My Chemical Romance during Let Me In. I was listening to My Chemical Romance to get into that frame of mind.

Were you listening to The Black Parade?

That's exactly what I was listening to! I love that album. My favorite songs are "The Sharpest Lives" and "Dead!" "Dead!" is so crazy and, of course, "Welcome to the Black Parade" is pretty awesome.

Does Let Me In remind you of any songs?

A lot of My Chemical Romance is what I remember! I listened to a bunch of alternative music while we were shooting, like Muse and such.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

It's like the polar opposite—Christina Aguilera right now [Laughs]. She's definitely my number one at the moment, but I do love Neon Trees and stuff. I listen to everything. It just depends on my mood.

Other than My Chemical Romance, what would Abby in Let Me In listen to?

I feel like she would listen to classical music like Beethoven and Mozart. That's probably what she grew up with. She definitely likes some Tchaikovsky!

The whole movie involves Abby gaining total control. Did you feel that way?
B She's so unique, and that's what I love about Abby. The character is drastically different from anything I've ever done.

Would you want to do another horror movie?

Yeah! It's so difficult to pinpoint to Let Me In. It's horror but, at the same time, it's not horror. It's a thriller, but it's a love story. It's this blood-sucking vampire flick, yet it has a comedic side to it. It's so unique that I can't pinpoint it. It's fun to be that different person.

It's a very human story.

Definitely, every kid goes through the lonely stage or the "I-don't-fit-in" stage. Or they feel distant from their parents. However, in Let Me In, that's all heightened and much different than what a normal child's life should be. I get mad at you so I just suck your blood [Laughs].

If only things were that simple…

I hate you! So I'm going to suck your blood [Laughs].

Had you seen Let the Right One In?

I didn't for a couple of reasons. One, my parents wouldn't let me because it's R-rated and two, I didn't want to because I wanted a natural experience for the character of Abby. I went into a totally different person when I became Abby.

What's next for you?

I'm shooting Hugo Cabret at this moment. I'm in London until December shooting it. I'm so excited; it's such an amazing film!

TAPETRVE wrote:Duh... if she gets the tears from MCR, I sure as hell wouls not have her listen to Sólstafir - she'd probably end up in the mental ward.

Does Let Me In remind you of any songs?

A lot of My Chemical Romance is what I remember! I listened to a bunch of alternative music while we were shooting, like Muse and such.

TAPETRVE wrote:Even Muse... They had some neat stuff in their early days, but now... Bah. Want something great to get melancholic to, I'd recommend Her Name is Calla.

It's more about her longing for normalcy than her longing for love..... I'd say she definitely is the puppet master. She certainly knows how to hold Owen on a string above her head.... I get mad at you so I just suck your blood

TAPETRVE wrote:Smells like she has more in commom with Ann Rice's Claudia character than with the Eli Lindqvist created. I just hope that doesn't spell "emo-vampire", projecting her self hatred upon others.